PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Historical Society announced that is has received a $209,397 grant from the Champlin Foundations to replace windows at the society's library in Providence.

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By
Mike McKinney
Posted Dec. 12, 2013 @ 6:35 am

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Historical Society announced that is has received a $209,397 grant from the Champlin Foundations to replace windows at the society's library in Providence.

In a news release, the historical society called the grant "the capstone" of its efforts to to pay for renovations to what is a former church building at 121 Hope St. The Champlin grant, plus money from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities and a Save America's Treasures grant from the National Park Service, will cover the rehabilitation of the library.

The historical society said it is working with architects, engineers and contractors to figure out the sequence of work, which will include window replacement, HVAC improvements and upgraded fire detection systems.

A start date has not been determined.

The library will need to be closed for the work and the time frame may be four to six months.

The historical society was founded in 1822, according to the news release, and is the fourth oldest historical society in the country. In Providence, the historical society owns and runs the John Brown House and Museum, which is a designated National Historic Landmark built in 1788. The society also owns Aldrich House, built in 1822 and used for administration and public programs; the Library of Rhode Island History, where archival, book and image collections are housed. The historical society manages the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket -- the museum examines the industrial history of northern Rhode Island and of workers and settlers.